Northern Irish bus manufacturer Wrightbus has clinched a significant deal to supply 46 hydrogen buses to Germany. The order, placed by public transport provider Cottbusverkehr, includes eleven H2 buses designated for operation in Cottbus and an additional 35 for the subsidiary Spree-Neiße-Cottbusverkehr.
The first batch of the revolutionary Kite Hydroliner hydrogen buses is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2024. While these 46 buses mark the first hydrogen-powered additions to Cottbusverkehr’s fleet, Wrightbus has previously supplied Kite Hydroliners to other German operators, including Regionalverkehr Köln in 2022 and WestVerkehr for the Heinsberg district in 2023. Cottbusverkehr’s decision to choose the Northern Irish manufacturer followed rigorous testing, which showed that the bus “performed excellently even in the lowest temperatures.”
Each Kite Hydroliner can accommodate up to 90 passengers and features axles from ZF. The fuel cell, provided by Ballard, boasts 70 kW of power. Depending on the variant, the buffer battery has a capacity of either 30 or 45 kWh. The number of cylindrical hydrogen tanks, rated at 350 bar, can vary between four and seven, depending on the specific application.
Funding for the hydrogen buses was secured by Cottbusverkehr in 2022, amounting to around 3.1 million euros. Additionally, the public transport operator, in collaboration with project partner LEAG, secured funding from the Structural Reinforcement Act for the refueling infrastructure, totaling approximately 7.5 million euros. The construction of the H2 filling station was awarded to German company Moviatec through a Europe-wide tendering process. Furthermore, an electrolyzer will be built by LEAG on the site adjacent to the depot, producing 105 tons of hydrogen annually from regional green electricity.
Ralf Thalmann, Managing Director of Cottbusverkehr, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, “This is a big step in Lusatia towards climate-neutral local public transport.” Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales also commented, saying, “We are delighted to be working with the city of Cottbus on this incredibly important initiative. Hydrogen has a key role to play in moving away from fossil fuels to decarbonize energy and provide cleaner air for all.” Gales added, “This is especially true in public transport, and we are proud that our buses will be on the streets providing a clean and comfortable service for the people of this region.”
